Google Maps update keeps Apple competition healthy

Users of Google Maps are in for a massive treat over the coming weeks, as Google unveiled at their annual I/O event in San Francisco that the service is due for a major overhaul. Google Maps is getting an update, rebuilding the service from the ground up to offer a more personalized and social experience, allowing users to connect with each other like never before.

By personalization, Google has said that they are aiming for every user to ‘get their own map, every time’, whenever they log into the new service following the updates. Google Maps will be able to gather information on points of interest that you choose, producing instant direction results in realtime, along with reviews from other users and related results depending on which location or restaurant that you choose.

This new functionality will also come with a brand new interface, which is best explained by watching Google’s preview video above. The company has confirmed that the updates will be available during the Summer, on all supported Google Map platforms including the iPhone and iPad.

It all looks fantastic, but hopefully Google will be offering their new Map interface in every country from the start – rather than launching in US and then making other countries wait to see the updates as we’ve seen in the past. There is no set release date yet, but Google has said that they will be rolling out the updates in phases.

For now, interested consumers can sign up on Google’s website here, to request an invite for the new Google Maps redesign. Google will then notify you by Gmail if you have been selected. Take a look at the video above and let us know your thoughts on it. Does Apple really have their work cut out now to keep up with Google?